I was listening to a post about gratitude by Emily Chadbourne in That Crazy Thing Called Life and she mentioned she had just found an article about Gratitude… I thought I would share a bit of it here for you… (link to post at the bottom of this article)
“We often hear about the power of gratitude for creating a more positive and happy mental state. But did you know that gratitude literally transforms your brain?
According to UCLA’s Mindfulness Awareness Research Center, regularly expressing gratitude literally changes the molecular structure of the brain, keeps the gray matter functioning, and makes us healthier and happier.
When you feel happiness, the central nervous system is affected. You are more peaceful, less reactive, and less resistant. And gratitude is the most effective practice for stimulating feelings of happiness.”
Do you practice gratitude rituals? Do you have a gratitude journal? Have you experience the power of gratitude in your life?
Studies were done and there were significant findings about how gratitude benefits us, including this one: “A fourth study didn’t require a gratitude journal, but looked at the amount of gratitude people showed in their daily lives. In this study, a group of Chinese researchers found that higher levels of gratitude were associated with better sleep, and also with lower levels of anxiety and depression.”
Better sleep, with less anxiety and depression. Certainly compelling reasons to express gratitude more regularly.
Read more here:
Fran Watson
P.S. Here is a Gratitude Journal for you.